Ofcom receives more than 7000 complaints over Channel 5 show criticising Charlotte Crosby's appearance

Ofcom has received thousands of complaints over a Channel 5 documentary that critiqued reality star Charlotte Crosby's appearance.
Channel 5 have since removed the documentary and apologised to Charlotte Crosby after more than 7000 complaints were made to Ofcom.Channel 5 have since removed the documentary and apologised to Charlotte Crosby after more than 7000 complaints were made to Ofcom.
Channel 5 have since removed the documentary and apologised to Charlotte Crosby after more than 7000 complaints were made to Ofcom.

The Channel 5 documentary called ‘Celebrities – What’s Happened To Your Face?’ which dissected reality star Charlotte’s physical appearance and speculated over cosmetic work sparked 7,082 complaints to UK’s communication regulator Ofcom.

Channel 5 has since removed the episode from its streaming platform and apologised after the Geordie Shore star took to Instagram to call out the broadcaster over the show.

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Charlotte, who is from Sunderland, said the network had become ‘trolls’ and asked whether it would take responsibility for her ‘dip in mental health and plummeted self-esteem.’

Charlotte Crosby slammed Channel 5 following their show 'Celebrities: What's Happened To Your Face?' Image by Getty Images.Charlotte Crosby slammed Channel 5 following their show 'Celebrities: What's Happened To Your Face?' Image by Getty Images.
Charlotte Crosby slammed Channel 5 following their show 'Celebrities: What's Happened To Your Face?' Image by Getty Images.

She claimed that, despite repeated requests to Channel 5 by her agent that they not go ahead with the broadcast, it was aired on Thursday, April 22.

In a long statement shared on her Instagram page, Charlotte Crosby said: “Dealing with trolls is one thing, you ignore, you block.

"But when the trolls are the mainstream TV channels? Will they now take responsibility for my dip in mental health and plummeted self-esteem?

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"Do they take responsibility for the resulting press from the show, again discussing how ‘shocking’ my face is?

"Channel 5 has a list of mental health helplines on their websites – is this for viewers or the subjects of their poor choice in programming, like me?

"Broadcasters are so keen to do psych tests for shows yet at the same time give space to programmes which destroy the mental health of its subjects.”

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She continued: “That hour could have been used to host a mental health documentary.

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“That hour could have educated the public in the many issues and good causes which need publicity.

"That hour didn’t need to go after a 31-year-old woman for her appearance, choices and ‘rubber lips.’

"When is enough enough?”

In a statement Channel 5 said: “Channel 5 and the programme’s producers, Crackit Productions, take duty of care very seriously.

"While we acknowledge that the programme was Ofcom compliant, we have taken on board Charlotte’s feedback and removed the episode from our streaming platform My5. We apologise for any upset caused.”

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